This article contains notes of a presentation given at the BCAB Tech-A-Break event in 2017 by Sean Randall and Jackie Brown.
Introduction
Sean and Jackie began their presentation by explaining what each digital assistant does, then passed round an Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini for the audience to feel.
Amazon Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo Dot is a circular device and has four buttons on the top. The mains lead plugs into a micro USB socket at the rear. Adjacent to this is a 3.5mm headphone socket, extremely useful if you want to connect your Echo Dot to a hifi, for example. With the connections at the rear, facing away from you, the four buttons on the top are at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The button with the dot on it is the Action button, and is at 3 o’clock. The up and down volume buttons are at 12 and 6 o’clock, and the microphone button is at 9 o’clock.
Controlling the Amazon Echo is done by downloading the Alexa app from the Play or App Stores. Start setup by plugging in your Echo, opening the app, and following the instructions given. It is not quite as straightforward to setup as Google Home is if you are not familiar with these things. Essentially, Amazon Echo makes a temporary mesh network while you put in your Wi-Fi password. But once done, you are then free to explore the app or, if you prefer, use the web interface at https://alexa.amazon.co.uk.
What can you do with Amazon Echo Dot?
The Echo uses skills that can be written by anyone who has them verified by Amazon. Sean and Jackie demonstrated some of Amazon Echo Dot’s capabilities to the audience:
- Asking for the latest moon phase
- Checking the weather
- Getting local information
- Playing music
- Listening to the radio
- Getting news headlines
- Accessing a calendar
- Playing a game
- Turning on Bluetooth
Sean and Jackie explained that you can set alarms, reminders, and add items to your basket to buy again if you have your device set up to do this using a four-digit code. You can control your heating, lights, plugs, and other utilities if you have the relevant accessories. Amazon Echo’s “wake” word is Alexa, though you can change this in the app if you wish.
What’s available and where to buy?
Amazon Echo is the larger of the two devices and currently costs around £149.00. Amazon Echo Dot, the version Sean and Jackie demonstrated, has identical features and setup, but normally retails at £49.99. The major difference between the two is that one is larger in size and therefore has a bigger speaker. On the larger Echo, you turn the top of the unit clockwise to increase volume, and anticlockwise to decrease it. There are also only two buttons on the top of the larger device, the Action and microphone buttons. The Amazon Echo family is set to increase its range of products and what they can do, so it is always worth checking on price deals when looking to purchase. You can buy direct from Amazon, or the likes of Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis and some larger supermarkets.
Google Home Mini
A google Home Mini is the size and shape of a hamburger roll or bap. It has a USB connection at the back to power it, and a button to turn the microphone on and off. Controlling the volume is done by pressing the left and right edges to decrease and increase it, respectively. The rest is done controlling the Home app that can be downloaded from the Play and App Stores, depending on what Smartphone you use.
Setup of Google Home is extremely straightforward. Plug in your device, open the app, and you should be guided to input your Google account and Wi-Fi password. Once done, you can now speak to your new assistant. The Google Home “wake” words are either “Hey Google” or “OK Google”.
What can you do with Google Home?
Sean and Jackie demonstrated some of Google Home’s capabilities to the audience:
- Asking for the latest moon phase
- Checking the weather
- Getting local information
- Playing music
- Listening to the radio
- Getting news headlines
- Accessing the Google Calendar
- Playing a game
- Turning on Bluetooth
Everyone enjoyed interacting with Google Home to play Trivia Challenge, a game that is full of sounds and fun for players. You are asked how many people want to play, then set five questions by your assistant. Right and wrong answers receive musical tunes. You can stop playing at any time, or choose to play again at the end of a game.
What’s available and where to buy
Google Home is the larger of the two devices and currently costs around £129.00. Google Home Mini, the version Sean and Jackie demonstrated, has identical features and setup, but normally retails at £49.99. The major difference between the two is that one is larger in size and therefore has a bigger speaker. The Google Home family is set to increase its range of products and what they can do, so it is always worth checking on price deals when looking to purchase. You can buy direct from the Google Store, or the likes of Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis and some larger supermarkets.
Which one to buy?
They both have a lot to offer, but come from different manufacturers so will tie you into their model. For example, if you shop regularly at Amazon and have a Prime membership, you might feel that Amazon Echo or Dot is for you. But if you like the Google search engine, and want something more local to you, then Google Home or the Mini is for you. They both let you use home automation, they are both incredibly responsive, but setup is slightly more straightforward on Google Home than on Echo. Having said that, you can use the web interface for Amazon Echo but not for Google Home. The choice is yours!